Eight signs to detect a fake Babalawo/Babalorisa

The issue of people getting scammed on the internet by some who claimed to be “babalawo”, “babalorisa” has been for years a trending issue in the Orisa world (Yoruba religion). Several people over the years and even till now had fallen victims of this shamming act because of their low knowledge and inexperience on the religion. People have been extorted mostly from the Diaspora thousands of dollars all in the name of getting closer to the religion or for whatever reasons the fraudster gave to the victim(s) to achieve his own personal goal (scam).

This has also indeed been a major hindrance being faced in the religion, which makes it difficult to identify the good ones from the bad ones (babalawos, bablorisa). Social media have been the major negative key player in this scenario. Over 90% of those who get scammed got scammed on social media which also have been causing some of these victims to stay away from it.

However, this write-up gives you a eight tip on how to identify a scam who claims to be a babalawo or babalorisa.

    1:  He uses “babalawo”/ “bablorisa” to compliment his name: You got be careful when you see names that is complimented by “babalawo”/ “babalorisa” because this is used as a strategy in gaining your trust as you would believe he is truly a babalawo. Though, not all with this compliment are scam but these bandits have manipulated the complementary to carry out their filthy work. So, when you come across this shamming people with these complements, do your findings before you fall for such people.

   

      2: Profile picture: They do not use their real picture, they either use the picture of a prominent personality in the religion or any orisa symbol as their display picture. They do that in order to buy the client mind as soon as possible because the client will have the impression that truly the prominent personality is the one talking or chatting with him or her and this is a big dirt on the image of the real personality. If suddenly a high priest messages you, proper investigation must be made to know if truly the person is real or a sham.

  

   3:  He posts often and often: since the advent of the new media have given people to share information or pictures without any hindrances, the theory of gate keeping is sidelined. This also, has been a way by which this scammer uses. He manipulates the advantage and post something he knows and something he does not on Yoruba religion on the plat form. Post that can grab your attention, post that can gain him attention by his victims will be posted to create an ease and to create a favorable image about him to his viewers.

  4:    He makes the first contact with you: He starts the conversation with you first, if he realizes that you not messaging him, he messages you. He obviously starts in a conversational way, and asking you if you truly know what Ifa truly is and how he can help you with the teachings on Ifa.

     

  5:  He makes something shamming about you: This is another and I would say one of the most adopted way employed by the fraudster(s). he says for example: “Ifa sent me to you, to tell you in danger, that you should make some rituals, sacrifice in order to be free. You have only 7 days to perform the ritual or sacrifice”.

   

    6:   He comes up with something that is too good to be true: since everyone likes what is good, he then tells you there are ways to get some rich or an easy way to solve your problem with ease. Convincing you to pay some money to get it solved. You have to be careful!.

     

\7:  He keeps on messaging you: He disturbs you with his message all the time. If he realizes that you not paying attention to his messages, he keeps on bugging with message. Block him!

        

   8: He repeats same conversation over and over:  he uses the same conversation format to speak to everyone.